Since 1905 millions of motorists have trusted the AA to keep them on the road. The AA and the AA Motoring Trust boast expert knowledge and offer advice on transport issues that are respected by AA members, the public, safety experts and the Government.

Abbeys' roots reach way back to 1849, with the establishment of the National Freehold Land and Building Society. In 1944, it merged with the Abbey Road Building Society to form the well-known Abbey National Bank.

Alliance and Leicester's roots go back to 1852. With branches all over the country, an ATM network comprising thousands of machines, a growing online capability and over 5 million personal customers, Alliance and Leicester is a formidable presence in the UK's retail banking market.

Direct Line started from scratch in April 1985 offering motor insurance. Now they boast over 5 million customers and a wide range of products and services. They do business over the phone and on the internet.

The Bank's operations in Great Britain were brought together as one business unit called Bank of Ireland UK Financial Services.

The Britannia Building Society prides itself on a membership scheme which rewards its customers when it makes a profit. As a mutual building society Britannia has no shareholders to take a cut of the profits. Instead, year on year, it share the profits with its customers through benefits and better deals.

The Bank of Scotland opened the doors of its first branch in Glasgow, way back in 1783.

First Plus Financial Group was founded in 1997 in Cardiff. By 2001 it gained recognition as a world class company. First Plus now has over 50,000 customers and employs over 230 staff. Its ethos is to always be ‘a pleasure to do business with'.

Launched in 2000 Black Horse is the consumer brand of the Lloyds TSB Asset Finance Division, and part of the Lloyds TSB Group.

Egg has been around since 1998. In 2000, Egg was floated on the London Stock Exchange, and is now largely owned by Prudential plc.